Nov. 27, 2018
By Alexa Torres
Staff Writer
Your earbuds fit securely in your ears before it begins. You press play and raise the volume just slightly to make sure every noise is heard.
*Tap, tap, tap.* The evenly cut cubes of soap slowly hit the surface of the table one by one and echo through your headphones. A sense of ease overcomes you, and soon you find yourself falling asleep.
Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response is an experience characterized by the tingling or relaxing sensation that comes over someone who watches certain videos or hears certain sounds. Those who like ASMR videos describe them as soothing and helpful.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, videos of the simplest tasks such as flipping through books and brushing hair have been known to cause a slight tingling in the scalp that makes its way through the rest of the body, inducing a sense of calmness.
Biology teacher Dr. Dunn said such videos can definitely stimulate the brain and sensory systems.
“[Visually and acoustically], our bodies get used to patterns. We like patterns, especially ones that are smooth and allow nice transitions in our brains for the neurotransmissions,” Dunn said. “The patterning starts to become rhythmic, and we like rhythm and the reassurance it brings us.”
Junior Ornella Novak, who watches ASMR videos when she stumbles upon them on Instagram, said young people’s affinity for music explains the recent popularity of these ASMR videos, which are widely available on YouTube and Instagram.
“I assume ASMR videos have gotten so popular because they correlate to the pleasure that music has to offer to people, for certain sounds cause feelings of pleasure and joy,” Novak said. “ASMR videos are definitely interesting because they can improve a person’s internal state. Since it has such a positive effect, more people should try to watch more of these videos.”
Contrary to the videos’ focus on relaxation, junior Mikayla Poggi said she finds some ASMR videos to bring more unease than pleasure.
“I like certain ASMR videos. The tapping ones especially send chills throughout my body and help me fall asleep quickly. Other videos are just really funny to watch because it makes me cringe,” Poggi said.
Poggi said she is especially likely to laugh, rather than relax, when she watches videos that focus on chewing food or whispering. However, she said she has noticed the benefits of effective ASMR videos.
“I do think that the effects depend on the person. If you have trouble sleeping, certain ASMR [videos] like tapping may make people tired. You can watch or listen to these videos for laughs, relaxation or sleep. It has many purposes,” said Poggi.
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